By: Ahmed Rufa’i
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has warned Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State against politicising security issues, urging him instead to concentrate on addressing the mounting challenges confronting the state.
His reaction followed allegations by the Kano State Government that his recent public remarks were capable of undermining ongoing security operations. The claims were made after the 34th State Executive Council meeting, presided over by Governor Yusuf.
But Senator Barau, in a strongly worded rebuttal, said Nigeria’s security challenges—particularly banditry in parts of Kano—demand cooperation rather than political point-scoring.
In a statement by his media aide, Ismail Mudashir, the Deputy Senate President dismissed the accusations as “false, reckless and malicious,” insisting that he had never made any comment capable of jeopardising security efforts.
According to the statement, “It is unfortunate that the state government has relegated governance to this low by concocting and fabricating lies to tarnish the growing reputation of the Deputy President of the Senate.
There was no time Senator Barau uttered any statement capable of undermining security efforts.”
He challenged the government to produce any video evidence showing him making comments that could compromise security operations.
Senator Barau, who also serves as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, further accused Governor Yusuf of failing to provide effective leadership, saying Kano had drifted from its position as one of Nigeria’s most prosperous states.
“Until governance was relegated to the background, Kano used to be a very close second to Lagos in terms of prosperity, but unfortunately, misgovernance has eroded this,” he said.
“We have everything necessary to restore our state’s glorious days, but the governor is not taking steps in that direction.”
The statement also highlighted Barau’s contributions to security improvement across Kano State.
These include the donation of operational vehicles to all police formations in Kano North, motorcycles for police officers, renovation of parts of the state police headquarters, and the construction of new police stations.
He has also supported the Department of State Services (DSS) and facilitated the establishment of key security training institutions, including the NSCDC training college in Gwarzo, the Police Service Commission training institute in Kabo, and the Nigeria Immigration Service training school in Bichi.
Additionally, Senator Barau has installed solar-powered streetlights across his senatorial district and other parts of the state to enhance night-time security patrols.
“The state government should emulate his commitment instead of casting aspersions on his personality,” the statement added.
